<VV> Brake Line Local & Engine ID

[Rick Norris]

Anytime I am replacing brake lines I use a pair of lineman pliers and cut 
the tubing as close to the fitting as I can. Then I use a socket wrench to 
remove the fitting from the splitter block, wheel cylinder or master 
cylinder. Most of these fittings are rusted in place and the socket wrench 
with a long ratchet handle will remove them easily if, some one has not 
previously rounded off the tubing nut. That is when a large pair of 
ViseGrips come in handy. Heat works too but I have set brake fluid on fire 
before!
Actually, there isn't much on a Corvair I have not flamed at one time or 
another!

Rick "Likes To Play With Fire" Norris
(Also known to run with scissors)



> Yes, right front brake line is attached to the body above the gas tank. To 
> get the old line out of the clips and the new line into the clips, the 
> tank must come out.
>
> But, there is a work around. First, if the gas tank bolts are in good 
> shape, you can lower the tank a few inches and with long arm and feeling 
> instead of seeing, you may still be able to R&I the line from the clips.
>
> Bolts rusty? Leave tank in place. Disconnect  old line from right front 
> brake hose and splitter block under dash. Break, pull, twist old line out 
> of place. Typically it stays in the clips, and you just break or cut off 
> what shows in the fenderwell. Also cut the part sticking through the floor 
> under the dash.
>
> Put masking tape over the ends of the new line. You do not want to push 
> dirt and rust into the new line. From the right side of the car, feed the 
> new line through the hole towards the left (driver's) side. There is a 
> little hole to see whats going on beside where the gas filler goes through 
> the fenderwell on the left side. It is possible to thread the line into 
> the under dash hole, bend it and connect it to the splitter block.
>
> No, this is not easy, but it is faster then dropping the tank or drilling 
> holes in the trunk and sealing them.
>
> Then if you ever drop the tank to work on it, you can remove the old line 
> and place the new line in the clips.
>
> Frank DuVal